Achille Luigi Rossi

Achille Luigi Rossi, 85, of Indianapolis, entered eternal life on February 28, 2016 after a long illness. He was born April 2, 1930 in Providence, Rhode Island. He was the son of Italian born Vincenzo and Maria (Marcello) Rossi.

Achille served in the US Army as Principal Clarinetist with the 7th Army Symphony and the 2nd Armor Division Band in Europe from 1952 to 1953. In 1957, he received his Bachelor of Music Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he studied under Gino Cioffi of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. He graduated with Honors of Distinction in Performance, Orchestral and Chamber Music, and Performance Studies. During 1958 and 1959, he was Principal Clarinetist with the New York Opera Festival Company on it's tour of the United States and Canada.

Achille is an "Esteemed Musician Emeritus" of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. His 43 year tenure began in 1959 under Maestro Izler Solomon and went through 2002 under Maestro Raymond Leppard. As a Chamber Musician in Indianapolis, he was a member of many prominent groups including the Indianapolis Chamber Players, the Falkner Woodwind Quintet and Chamber Ensemble, and the Jordan Faculty Woodwind Quintet at Butler University.

He was an Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at Butler University Jordan College of Fine Arts from 1972 to 2014. Previously, he taught on the faculty of the University of Indianapolis from 1963 to 1972. He taught and coached woodwind chamber music, often giving workshops at Butler University throughout his career.

His spirit is carried on by his wife of 29 years, Catherine; daughter Cecile Rossi Ellington (husband Todd) of Fishers; Son Albert Rossi (wife Antonia) of Aurora, IL; Stepdaughter Lisa Main (husband Paul) of Noblesville; Grandson Andrew Ellington of Madison, WI; Stepgrandchildren Will and Sarah Clark of Noblesville and Kyle Clark (wife Rachel) of Fishers; Two brothers Louis Rossi (wife Marie) and Vincent Rossi (wife Dolly) of Cranston, RI; Two sisters Angelina Picerno of Cranston, RI and Elena Tassoni (husband Bruno) of Johnston, RI; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 3 sisters and daughter, Lisa Rossi.

Services will be held at 2pm, Saturday, March 5, 2016 at St Paul's Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, with Father Nicolas Myers presiding. Graveside rites and burial will be immediately following at Crown Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner and Buchanan-Broad Ripple. To leave an online condolence go to flannerbuchanan.com